In a momentous ceremony that marked a significant milestone, 203 graduates from the Faculty of Law, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) were among the 5, 734 law graduates that have officially been called to the Nigerian Bar on July 9, 2025 in Abuja.
This historic occasion represents a significant development for NOUN, resolving long-standing challenges that had previously prevented the institution's law graduates from gaining admission to the Nigerian Law School.
Speaking with a NOUN News correspondent shortly after the ceremony, some of the newly robed barristers shared reflections on their paths to this day, with their stories highlighting the resilience of NOUN students.
Among the newly sworn-in barristers was Danladi Moses Dairo, whose journey reflected perseverance and hard work.
Working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while pursuing his studies at the Abuja Model Study Centre in Dutse, Dairo successfully balanced professional responsibilities with academic pursuits.
According to him, “NOUN is a unique institution, being able to work and study simultaneously provided me with an invaluable opportunity to advance my education. I'm genuinely proud to be an alumnus of what I consider one of Nigeria's most renowned universities."
His path to the bar began with the remedial programme in 2021, followed by his admission to Law School in 2023, culminating in his successful call to bar ceremony.
"Initially, there were setbacks regarding our admission into Law School, but through the intervention of NOUN management and other stakeholders, we overcame these challenges," Dairo said.
"Most of us NOUN students, “ he disclosed, “performed exceptionally well in Law School, and now we're proud members of the bar."
Sharing a similar story of beating the odds, Michael Alaba Abejiri from Kabba, who began his law degree in 2007 at the Lokoja Study Centre while working with the Office of the Head of Service, Kogi State, graduated in 2017 as part of NOUN's inaugural set of law graduates.
"I experienced numerous hurdles while studying, but determination kept me going," Abejiri said. "The course materials were remarkably rich and educative – so much so that even conventional universities utilised them."
Abejiri's experience during the special remedial programme proved transformative, not just for him personally but for perceptions of NOUN law graduates generally.
"Our interactions with lecturers at the Nigerian Law School during the remedial programme demonstrated that we truly knew our subject matter.
"We stood out exceptionally, which helped change the misconception that NOUN law graduates weren't as knowledgeable as their counterparts from conventional universities,” he said.
Another distinguished graduate, Anemeje Israel Onuabuchi, who completed his LLB at the Lagos State Study Centre, shared his perspective on the NOUN experience.
Currently self-employed, Onuabuchi emphasised the quality of NOUN’s legal education materials and methodology.
“My experience as a student in NOUN was highly enriching. There is no doubt that NOUN has one of the best manuals ever compiled for the study of Law in Nigeria.
“We were trained to research and explore on our own with the guidance of our highly resourced lecturers who were ever ready to assist,” Onuabuchi said.
Speaking on his time at the Nigerian Law School, Onuabuchi noted the exceptional performance of NOUN graduates during their Special Remedial Programme (SRP).
“We were exceptional during our Special Remedial Programme to the extent that our conduct remains a reference point to subsequent sets.
“During our Bar 2 programme, with the experience already gathered from the NOUN, I was able to navigate the academic challenges leading to my passing the Bar finals," he said.
Onuabuchi also highlighted the forward-thinking nature of NOUN’s educational approach.
The barrister added that “The world has dismantled the concept of bricks and walls education. Virtual classroom has taken over the education ecosystem. This has made the NOUN technological driven method of teaching more relevant. It is no gainsaying that NOUN is a school that saw the future.”
He recommended NOUN to prospective students and stakeholders, saying, “I would recommend NOUN to any student or stakeholder that desires to embrace modern technology in teaching and learning.”
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